Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1887-07-23
ssa :
THE NAUTICAL SCHOOL.
HOW BOYS ARE TRAINED FOR THE
MERCHANT MARINE SERVICE.


MERCHANT MARINE SERVICE.
Out Practical Observation-Disclosures
for MISUNDERSTANDING Life ON
Board the ST. Mary's.
The public school system Of New York has
no mora useful or better organized depart
ment than the nautical school ON tho Ship st,
Mary's, and yet it is safe to say that not one
out of ten taxpayers really appreciates the
nature and value of the work done by it In
the minds OF most people it Is kind of a
prison hulk for the reformation of idle and
vicious boys sent there as a last resort. This
is precisely what it is not.
The Nautical school was regularly estab-
lshed in 1873 by the legislature, at the re-
Quest of a number of well known members of
the chamber of commerce and the board of
marine underwriters, and it was placed under
the direction and control Of the city board Of
education, to be conducted under the rules
and conditions governing the other depart
ments of city and county instruction.
The school has been in operation for several
years, and its reputation for steadiness and
efficiency has steadily advanced, until now its
training and course of instruction are fully
equal, if not superior, to that On the United
States navy schoolship.
CANDIDATES QUALIFICATIONS.
1t is necessary that the candidates should
be Of sound physical condition, between 10
and 20 years old, and of good moral charac-
ter. They must bring with them the written
consent of their parents or guardians, and
also satisfactory evidence that they have
never been convicted of any crime It will
be seen from this that its ranks are not re-
cruited from the reform schools, as Is gener-
ally supposed, but that it is the same as tho
normal school, the free college, or any gram
mar school 1t is also required that the ap-
plicant should he able to spell with fair de-
gree of accuracy, to read with toerable cor
rectness and ease, to write legibly, aud to
answer questions upon the multiplication
table. Lastly, they mus. c.iuoe scr,e sr.:
tude or ihcli;.-tion for a sea life, and no boy
will be received on board against his will
The course Of instruction is two years, and
embraces the ordinary English branches and
seamanship and navigation. In May Of each
year the ST. Mary's leaves New York ON its
annual cruise, crossing the Atlantic to one or
more ports in southern Europe, usually Lis
bon or Cadiz The cruise occupies from two
to three months.
The only expense attached to this course Of
two years nautical instruction, during which
time home and living are supplied, are de-
post of S35 by each boy, On being received
on board, and the supplying of his own under
clothing This deposit is used in purchasing
uniform clothing, mattress, blankets, etc.
On graduation each boy is given a certif-
cate which has always entitled him to con.
sideration in obtaining employment in the
their duties are competent at the end of the
two wears to assume the duties Of officers Of a
merchant ship.
Upon being received on board ship the boys
are classified and quartered according to their
size, age and general abilities; and their pro-
motion from class to class, according to their
attainments, is carefully observed. The dis
cipline and general regulations, as far as pos
sible, are those Of the regular navy.
LIFE ON BOARD.
1t may be interesting to give in detail the
daily routine of life on board:
A. NJ.
600. Call all hands Lash and stow hammocks.
6:15. Haul over hammock cloths.
6:15. Boys wash and prepare for inspection.
Gas. Sweep township tables.
ZOO. Spread mess gear. Breakfast formation.
Inspections; to be made by officer in
charge.
7:15. Breakfast.
7:40. Rise" from tables. Repair by crews to
bag room for clothes bags; two crews
ct time, alternating as per routine:
bags to be taken from bag room and
hung on jack stay in respective places.
500. Turn hands to. Clean up decks.
$50. Inspection Of decks and mess gear.
S:i5. Read Scripture lesson.
900. School, exercises and recitations as per
routine. All hands over tOpmast head.
Pm.
1890. Dismiss school.
12:45. Spread mess gear. "a
100. Dinner. -
1:5l "RiSe'' from tables
200. Turn hands to- Clean up decks.
els. Inspection of decks and mess gear.
2:SO. School, exercises and recitatiops es per
routine.
4:SO. Dismiss school.
$50. Exercise in facing and marching.
500. Clear up decks.
Sis. Spread mess gear.
5:30. Supper.
$50. rise" from tables. Repair by crews and
stow bags in bag room; two crews at Q
time, alternating as per routine.
Goo. Turn hands to. Sweep down.
Clio. Inspection of mess gear.
200. Recreation, bathing and washing clothes.
900. Formation. 'Unship tables" Stand by
hammocks."
900. Turn in.
$50. Pipe down. ''Silence fore and aft"
At sea, of course, the regulations are neces-
sarily modified. The basis of organization is
in two watches (starboard and port, and a
further subdivision is made into crews Of six
teen boys each.
Boys distinguished for good conduct and at
tention to their studies are rewarded by being
appointed captains of crews, of boatswain's
mate, and are entitled to wear the distinctive
marks of their rank. Particular attention is
paid to the general health of the ship and the
boys are made to observe all necessary sani-
tarv rules.
Leave of absence is granted to boys merit
ing the indulgence after the annual examina-
ton, and also during term time, at the dis
erection OF the commanding officer. The an
nual examination is conducted by the council
of the Chamber of Commerce and takes place
in October
The school commends itself to all who are
interested in the commercial prosperity Of our
country. That the idea is one of recognized
value is shown by the fact that England has
45 Of these schools, France AZ, Germany 81,
Holland Q. Denmark l, Italy %, Spain 9 ard
Portugal l. The St :Mary's is the only one in
the United States York World
Gen. Schenck's Good Eyesisht-
Gen. Sciienck is almost an octogenarian,
yet his retention Of faculties and senses Is re-